Basilica di San Babila
Basilica di San Babila stands in Piazza San Babila, Milan, beside the city’s ancient walls. Its Neo-Romanesque façade frames three portals with decorative arches and mosaic lunettes. The central lunette shows Christ blessing with the Book of Gospels against a golden background. A bell tower rises above the church, rebuilt in 1821 after collapsing in 1575.
The church traces its origins to the eleventh century and may occupy the remains of a pagan temple dedicated to the sun god. Baroque alterations preceded a major restoration led by Paolo Cesa Bianchi. Cesare Nava completed the Neo-Romanesque façade in 1905, while the tower later received matching treatment.
Inside, three naves open beneath cross vaults and barrel vaults, divided by pillars and semi-columns. Original eleventh-century capitals resemble those in the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio. The apse mosaic, created by Luigi Cavenaghi in 1890, depicts Saint Babila with the three children martyred alongside him. A Zanin pipe organ, inspired by German Baroque instruments, serves liturgical music and concerts.
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